Report: US, Syrians Could Still Talk on Social Media

The U.S. has closed its embassy in Syria but could still use social media to communicate with Syrians, NextGov reports.

Experts told NextGov that State Department officials could still interact with Syrian activists and citizens on Facebook or Twitter.

The department has not confirmed plans…

Accenture to Add New Biometrics to DHS Program on $71M Contract

Accenture‘s federal services subsidiary has been selected to enhance a U.S. Department of Homeland Security biometric and biographic identity management system.

The U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program helps federal, state and local officials determine whether travelers can legally enter or remain in the U.S., the company said. 

The company will work to increase the…

As Govt. Budget Shrinks, Amazon Expands Fed Cloud Sales

The federal government is shifting toward cloud computing and Amazon.com is going in the same direction by expanding its cloud sales to the government.

The online retailer currently provides cloud-based computer services in 100 government offices, including the State and Treasury departments, according to a Washington Post/Bloomberg report. Amazon joins Google and Microsoft…

GSA Releases Per Diem Mobile App for Federal Employees

The General Services Administration recently released a new smartphone app that allows federal employees traveling on business to look up per diem reimbursement rates for expenses such as lodging and meals while on the road.

According to GSA, the app allows travelers to look up federal government per diem rates by city or…

State Department Official to Attend East Africa Cybersecurity Workshop

Chris Painter, coordinator for cyber issues for the U.S. State Department, announced he is to appear this week as a keynote speaker at the East Africa Workshop on Cyberspace Security in Kenya.

The workshop, which includes discussions led by government, academic and private-sector experts, will address cyber crime and cybersecurity issues and focus on cellphone…

Government Official: Terrorists Lack Tech Skills to Pull Off Large-scale Cyber Blitz

A senior counterterrorism official says terrorist groups do not yet have the technical skills to launch a major cyber attack against the United States, The Associated Press reports.

Daniel Benjamin, State Department counterterrorism coordinator, said while insurgents are pursuing the emerging threat of such an attack, the majority…

State Department Cyber Official: Cybersecurity a US Diplomatic Priority

A senior State Department official has said cybersecurity is now a diplomatic priority for the United States with Washington looking to strengthen partnerships to fight data theft and reduce the risk of conflict, Reuters reports.

Christopher Painter, coordinator for cyber issues for the State Department, said the nation faces…

State Department Event Highlights Cyber Risks for Kids

The State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security today hosted “Get Schooled, Kids and Cyber Security” to raise awareness about cybersecurity and children by discussing risks, mitigation strategies and safety tips.

Speakers included Enough is Enough President and CEO Donna Rice Hughes; National Center…

Former State Dept. Contractor Pleads Guilty to Unauthorized Computer Access

A former State Department contractor pleaded guilty yesterday to illegally accessing confidential passport application files, according to the Justice Department.

Mark Carter, 51, of Brooklyn, N.Y., pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal information charging him with unauthorized computer access.

According to the plea documents, Carter was a contract hire at the State Department and served as the network administrator in the Eastern District of Virginia. He…

Woman Pleads Guilty to Illegally Accessing Celebs’ Passport Files

A State Department employee has pleaded guilty to lying to department officials about her alleged involvement in the unauthorized access of hundreds of confidential passport application files.

Brooke E. Reyna worked in various roles at the National Passport Center in Portsmouth, N.H., most recently as a passport specialist. She admitted to having access to official State Department computer databases in the regular course of…